The Event

Wake Up Festival

When we touch a limitless sense of being – vast, open, undivided – we paradoxically become more uniquely ourselves, more empowered and on fire to bring forward our unique gifts. We wake up to our courage, to our authenticity, and to claiming our own value in the world. The Wake Up Festival explores this awakening from a wide range of different perspectives, and is an event like no other. Our focus is on opening our hearts to an all-encompassing embrace and doing so in a supportive retreat-like environment. We will gather together for five days in Estes Park, surrounded by the beautiful Rocky Mountains, to immerse ourselves in:

• The Power of Community -- How we can often grow the most when we are in a "field of transformation", a gathering of people who are committed to the heights and depths of the spiritual journey
• Learning from Great Teachers—How being in the presence of a great spiritual teacher is like sitting next to a living fire of awakening; their passion, knowledge, and experience illuminate us
• Transformative Spiritual Practices—How we can engage and experiment in different spiritual practices from the wisdom traditions of the world, exploring how to clear stuck energy, release the past, and connect with limitless space
• Celebration—How one of the best ways to open our hearts is through music, poetry, and dance, celebrating that we already have everything we need to savor the beauty and perfection of the moment

Carrying the Torch

Who Presents?

We each carry a flame that lives inside of our hearts, a flame of inner knowing, warmth, and care for all of life.  Spiritual teachers are sometimes called "torch bearers" because this fire burns so brightly in their being, and when we are in their presence we naturally "catch fire".  The Wake Up Festival features torch bearers who come from the world's wisdom traditions as well as artists, healers, poets, musicians, and dancers who hold nothing back and who are on fire with devotion to the mystery and beauty of being. Wake Up Festival presenters transmit their open-heartedness to us and serve as fellow travelers in our Wake Up community.

Wake Up Community

Who Attends?

People of all ages from around the world join to form the Wake Up community. Last year’s festival welcomed participants from throughout the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Brazil, Mexico, Romania, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, and more. Different religions, spiritual traditions, and ethnicities are represented. Designed to be an intergenerational community, the Wake Up Festival attracts people in their twenties and in their eighties and from every decade in between.  Come as a group or for a solo retreat. Some participants have immersed themselves in spiritual practice for decades and others are new to the journey. All are welcome.

Lodging

Rooms are reserved separately through the YMCA of the Rockies. Lodging includes all meals. Prices vary by room type. It is highly recommended that you stay on-site at the YMCA. For a description of rooms and to make reservations, please visit the Wake Up Festival reservation page.

Main Festival Only (August 14-18 with 3 meals per day)
Single Rooms from $766; Room Sharing from $289
With Pre-Festival Workshops (August 12-18 with 3 meals per day)
Single Rooms from $1,149; Room Sharing from $434

Need a roommate or rideshare?  Join our MeetUp Group and click on the “Discussions” tab to connect with other participants.

Meals

Meals are included in your lodging fees and are served three times daily at the YMCA of the Rockies Aspen Dining Hall. Meals feature fresh, buffet-style menu options, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. Organic and local ingredients are used wherever possible.

Meals are available for purchase for those not staying at YMCA of the Rockies at the following rates: Breakfast - $10, Lunch - $13, and Dinner - $18.

The YMCA has a convenience store on-site for small snacks, beverages, toiletries, and common over-the-counter medications and supplies.  Oxygen is available for those sensitive to the altitude.  There is also a small, take-out café for a casual alternative to dining room meals.  Feel free to bring any snacks and specific foods you enjoy between meals.

Travel

Estes Park, Colorado is located approximately 1.5 hours Northwest of Denver.
Shuttle service is provided from Denver International Airport directly to the YMCA of the Rockies by Estes Park Shuttle. Reservations are required. For questions or reservations, please visit Estes Park Shuttle or call 970-586-5151.

Shuttle cost is $62.05 round-trip if reserved before Aug. 1, 2013 and $76.50 thereafter.
Use group code WAKEUPFESTIVAL to get this rate.

If you plan to drive, parking is available free of charge at the YMCA.